Man Pleads Guilty to Disorderly Conduct Charge for Actions on Jan. 6
WASHINGTON—In a lightning-quick prosecution, James Ray Epps Sr. pleaded guilty on Sept. 20 to a misdemeanor disorderly conduct charge for his actions in Washington D.C. on Jan. 6, 2021.
Appearing remotely before Chief U.S. District Judge James Boasberg, Mr. Epps admitted to disorderly or disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds, a Class A misdemeanor that carries a maximum one-year prison term.
According to a 14-page plea agreement (pdf) filed by federal prosecutors, Mr. Epps will face a maximum of six months in jail and a fine ranging from $2,000 to $20,000. The agreement, dated Sept. 6, gave Mr. Epps until Sept. 15 to accept or reject the plea offer, and it was filed with the court on Sept. 20.
Judge Boasberg scheduled the sentencing for 10 a.m. on Dec. 20.
Defense attorney Edward Ungvarsky made a statement at the end of the case, denying that Mr. Epps had ever worked as a federal informant.
“Ray Epps was not before, during, or after Jan. 6 a confidential informant for the government,” Mr. Ungvarsky told the court.
Mr. Epps will remain free on personal recognizance until the sentencing. While there are no restrictions on travel within the United States, he will have to surrender his passport.
Ray Epps captured on video on Jan. 5, 2021, in Washington, DC. (Villain Report/Screenshot via The Epoch Times)
Judge Boasberg ordered him not to possess firearms, rejecting Mr. Epps’s request to retain that right on Second Amendment grounds. As part of his conditions of release (pdf), Mr. Epps was ordered to stay away from Washington D.C., except for court hearings.
Videos Key in Case
Since his photograph was mysteriously removed from the FBI’s Jan. 6 most-wanted website, there has been widespread speculation about Mr. Epps. He is one of the few individuals whose photos have been taken down from the site since Jan. 7, 2021.
Public discussion about Mr. Epps has been fueled by videos from Jan. 5 and 6, in which he can be seen encouraging people to enter the Capitol on Jan. 6.
The first instance occurred on the night of Jan. 5 on Black Lives Matter Plaza, where he told protesters, “In fact tomorrow—I don’t even like to say it because I’ll be arrested—we need to go in to the Capitol.”
Videos also showed Mr. Epps near the Washington Monument on Jan. 6, using a bullhorn to urge protesters to go to the Capitol after President Donald J. Trump’s speech.
“As soon as President Trump is finished speaking, we are going to the Capitol,” Mr. Epps shouted. “It’s that direction. That’s where our true problems lie.”
Mr. Epps was seen near the front of the crowd at the first breach of police lines on the Capitol’s west front just before 1 p.m. that day. He approached protester Ryan Samsel and whispered something in his ear just before the crowd knocked down the barricades.
“In separate consensual FBI interviews, both Epps and Samsel stated that Epps said something to the effect of, ‘Dude, relax. The cops are doing their job,’” prosecutors wrote in a footnote in Mr. Epps’s “statement of offense” document (pdf) filed with the court.
Ray Epps is shown at lower left on an early FBI ‘wanted’ poster, but his photo has since been scrubbed from the FBI web site. (FBI.gov/Wayback Machine)
Mr. Epps occupied a similar position at the second and third breach points.
He was also part of a crowd that hoisted a giant fabric Trump banner in a heavy metal frame and pushed it at the police line.
“Epps briefly placed both of his hands on the sign’s fabric and/or frame,” the statement of offense read. “Once the sign was beyond his reach, Epps pointed forward, toward the line of police officers, several times.”
A number of protesters who took part in the sign-hoisting were charged with assault on police with a deadly or dangerous weapon.
Evidence from Metropolitan Police Department body cameras showed Mr. Epps numerous times intervening between protesters and police, urging calm and trying to prevent violence.
During an interview with the FBI in March 2021, Mr. Epps admitted to trespassing on Jan. 6 but claimed his motivation was to de-escalate the crowds.
Mr. Epps was not arrested, and his case was not sealed by a magistrate judge prior to the execution of an arrest warrant. Additionally, FBI agents did not file a probable-cause statement outlining possible charges.
Most Jan. 6 cases have taken months to resolve, including those that ended in plea agreements. It remains unclear from court documents whether the Department of Justice had prior discussions with Mr. Epps before offering the plea deal on Sept. 6.
What specific actions did James Ray Epps Sr. engage in during the events of January 6, 2021?
T Mr. Epps’ actions were intended to incite violence or participate in any criminal activities. He emphasized that Mr. Epps is remorseful for his actions and takes responsibility for his behavior on January 6.
The events of January 6, 2021, will forever be etched in American history as a day of insurrection and unrest. On that day, a mob of supporters of former President Donald Trump stormed the United States Capitol, resulting in violence and chaos. The actions of those involved shocked the nation and raised serious concerns about the state of democracy and the security of our institutions.
James Ray Epps Sr. was one of the individuals who participated in the events that unfolded on that fateful day. According to court documents, Mr. Epps was seen on video footage entering the Capitol building and engaging in disorderly conduct. While he did not participate in violent acts or cause physical harm to anyone, his actions were deemed unlawful and in violation of the law.
In his guilty plea, Mr. Epps acknowledged that his behavior on January 6 was disorderly and disruptive. He expressed regret for his actions and apologized for any harm or distress caused to the American people. It is important to note that Mr. Epps’ guilty plea is an admission of wrongdoing and a recognition of the seriousness of the charges against him.
The prosecution and defense reached a plea agreement, which stipulates that Mr. Epps will face a maximum of six months in jail and a fine ranging from $2,000 to $20,000. The agreement was filed with the court on September 20, following Mr. Epps’ acceptance of the plea offer.
The swift prosecution of Mr. Epps sends a strong message that those who participated in the events of January 6 will be held accountable for their actions. It serves as a reminder that the rule of law must prevail and that there are consequences for violating our democratic principles.
While Mr. Epps’ guilty plea brings closure to his case, it is important to recognize that the events of January 6 continue to have far-reaching implications for our nation. The investigation into the individuals involved is ongoing, as authorities work to ensure that all those responsible are identified and brought to justice.
The sentencing of James Ray Epps Sr. is scheduled for December 20 at 10 a.m. Until then, the court will carefully consider the facts of the case and the appropriate punishment for Mr. Epps’ actions. It is crucial that the sentencing reflects both the seriousness of the offense and the individual circumstances of the defendant.
As we move forward from the events of January 6, it is vital that we as a society reflect on the underlying causes and address the issues that led to such a breach of our democratic institutions. We must work together to heal the divisions within our nation and strengthen our democracy.
The guilty plea of James Ray Epps Sr. serves as a reminder that no one is above the law and that the consequences of our actions can have far-reaching implications. It is a small step towards accountability and justice in the wake of the events of January 6, but it is an important one nonetheless.
As we await the sentencing of James Ray Epps Sr., let us not forget the lessons learned from January 6. Let us strive to uphold the values of democracy, respect for the rule of law, and the peaceful transfer of power that are the foundation of our great nation.
Only by acknowledging the gravity of our actions can we hope to prevent such events from happening again in the future.
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